Wow! I actually got reviews! :P But seriously, I'm glad people are taking an interest in this story. Especially since it seems so different from the rest of KH fanfiction. Sankyuu! Now without further ado, Chapter 2 (hey that rhymed!)
No wait. There's still an ado. The Disclaimer
Disclaimer: Wait, is it even necessary to put a disclaimer in more than one chapter???
_Now_ without further ado, here is Chapter 2....
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Tidus told everything, everything about the newest low Jecht had sunk to. Worse than anything he could've ever done. His feelings, complete dashed, like he wasn't worthy enough to own them. To say Riku was shocked would be an understatement. Jecht had really overstepped the boundries of a father this time.
If this were Sora, Riku would've teased him about whining like a little girl. But Riku and Tidus weren't as close as that, plus Tidus was a lot more sensitive. Now wasn't a good time for joking around. Not to mention Sora's dad wouldn't have done this in the first place.
Riku didn't know what to do. Tidus' life was pretty much ruined, from his point of view. It was all decided for him. He couldn't choose his own future. Jecht laid down everything. He would do this, he would marry this girl, and he would probably decide how much children they would have.
Whatever Tidus planned was gone. And Riku didn't like it. He knew the feeling of being confined to walk one single path, a path you didn't agree to walk. Not seeing what else could be out there. Feeling trapped.
As of this moment, Riku sympathized with Tidus more than anyone on the planet.
He placed his hand on Tidus' shoulder.
"Tidus-kun." Riku said, addressing him by his childhood name, "I promise you, I'll get you out of this."
"You would? What could you do?" Tidus asked. Riku shrugged, but the look on his face was of determination.
"I may not know now, but I'll think of something. You can bet on it."
Riku stood up and extended his hand to Tidus.
"Come on. We've got work to do."
Tidus took his hand and was helped up. "But what about Sora? Weren't you suppose to meet him here?"
Riku grinned. "Don't worry about it. Sora won't mind."
**********
Ten minutes later....
Sora stood by the waterfalls next to the Secret Place, looking around.
"Where's Riku? He should've been here by now." He wondered aloud. "I hope he didn't just up and leave. I sure would mind that."
**********
Riku and Tidus walked along the beachside.
"Now, normally, I'd just tell you to explain how you feel to your father, but past experiences have proven that's ineffective." Riku said. "So we'll have to try something else."
"But what?" Tidus asked. Riku tapped his finger on his chin, racking his brain for ideas.
"Well," he said, "Jecht may not want to call it off, but his friend still can. I say, call him up and act like the biggest jerk in the world. Act so bad that he'd see you as unfit for your daughter."
Tidus blushed. "I don't think I can do that."
"Sure you can. You're rude and nasty to your dad all the time. Just pretend he's your dad." Riku assured.
Tidus thought for a minute. That could work. After all, arranged marriages only work if the parents of each child agree to it. If one set of parents disapproves then it falls flat.
"Okay," Tidus confirmed, a grin spreading across his features. "I'll try it."
"Good boy." Riku said, ruffling the younger boy's hair. "Let me know how it goes!"
Tidus brushed Riku's hand out of his hair and laughed. "Sure thing."
Tidus ran off and Riku gave a satisfying sigh.
"Now," he said to himself, "I better get back to Sora. Hope he isn't too mad..."
**********
"Man, I'm mad!" Sora said, pouting, arms crossed, and tapping his foot impatiently. "Riku was supposed to be here by now."
Sora waited longer, until finally Riku showed up. He was breathing heavily as if he had been running.
"Sorry, I'm late, Sora." Riku apologized.
"What were you doing? You knew we had plans. You said you'd be here early. Half the day had gone by!"
"Fifteen minutes." Riku corrected.
"Fifteen, twenty, whatever!" Sora scolded. "The point is I was beginning to think you stood me up!"
"Stood you up?" Riku repeated raising an eyebrow, "Sorry, didn't mean to piss off my 'girlfriend'."
Sora pouted. "Not funny. I don't know why I should continue speaking to you." He turned his back to him, arms still crossed, eyes closed and stuck his nose in the air.
Riku poked him in the back. "Sorry, 'honey'. I was just helping out a friend, that's all. I didn't forget about you."
Sora let out a "Hmph."
Riku sighed and rolled his eyes. "Could you cut it out now? You're starting to act like Kairi."
Sora opened his eyes. "What did you say?"
"I said you're starting to act like Kairi."
Sora turned around, put his hands on Riku's shoulders and shot him the most apologetic look he could muster.
"Oh my gosh, Riku, I'm so sorry! Pleaseforgivemepleaseforgivemepleaseforgiveme???"
"Forgiven and forgotten." Riku laughed. "Now let's go head to the Mayor's Island."
***************
Tidus walked up to Jecht who was reading the newspaper.
"Alright, old man. If I'm trapped in this hellish nightmare, I might as well make the best of it. Can I have your friend's phone number? Maybe I can get to know my 'wife'?"
Jecht smirked. "Thought it over and realized I know what's best for ya, eh? It's about time you displayed some intelligence." Tidus rolled his eyes. His teeth clenched all ready. Jecht gave him the number and Tidus reluctantly thanked him. Since Jecht was in the kitchen, he decided to use the phone in the den. He didn't want Jecht to hear what his true intentions were.
He dialed the phone number and waited. It rang three times before a young female voice answered it.
"Hello?" it answered. Tidus actually debated whether he should try and get to know this young woman. The sound of her voice was very soothing and momentarily quelled his anger. But he decided to go with the original plan.
"Can I speak to your father?" he asked.
"Okay." she said. After a few pauses, a man's voice came on the phone.
"Who, may I ask, is speaking?" he inquired politely.
"It's me, Tidus. Jecht's son."
"Ah, the son of Jecht. A pleasure to be speaking with you."
"Wish I could say the same to you."
"I beg your pardon?"
"You heard me, you pig-screwing bastard. What the hell makes you think I'd like to marry your whore of a daughter." Tidus grimaced. He didn't like talking like that. Especially when this man was technically innocent. But he had to get this done. To regain his free will.
"You've got some nerve! My dad's told me all about the little skank!"
"Excuse me, but--"
"Shut up! I'm talking!" Tidus yelled at him. He continued unleashing strings of insults, curse words, and any other vulgar thing he could think of. He had to make sure he sounded like the biggest asshole in the world. Anything to destroy this arranged marriage.
"I'm not gonna tolerate this...!" the phone was yanked from his hands. Tidus looked up, shocked to find Jecht. Jecht glared at him and spoke into the phone. Tidus quietly slunk away, but another glare from Jecht froze him in place. After Jecht was done, he hung up, turned to Tidus and smirked.
"Almost thought you ruined it for me there." He said. Tidus scowled.
"Only thing I'm sorry about is not having a phone in my room." He shot back.
"Boy, it's time I teach you about a little something called 'irony'."
Tidus scowl dissipated. Now he was curious.
"What are you talking about?" the blonde boy demanded. Jecht laughed.
"When you mouthed off at him, it actually impressed him. Showed you were a no-nonsense kinda guy. The type of guy he wanted to marry his daughter."
"WHAT?!"
"He's sure you'll get rid of that 'tude of yours when you're older. And that you'll understand why this is important. 'Yeah right" I told him. 'The kid ain't that smart. I'll whip in to line'. And that's what I plan to do."
"W-wh-what do you mean?" Tidus said, baffled that his plan backfired.
"Oh nothing. I'm sure you'll keep out of trouble." Jecht said walking up to him. Then he knelt down and looked Tidus in the eyes, their noses nearly touching.
"After all, I doubt you'd want me to wring your neck so hard your head would pop off like the cork on a champagne bottle."
It took all of Tidus' strength to not spit in his face.
Jecht got up and went about his way. Tidus wanted to hit something. Hard. His tears wanted to bust out of his eyes, but he wouldn't let them.
He stormed out of the house, wondering if he should ever bother coming back.
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I hope everyone appreciates their father very much. Anyway, sorry it was a little short. I promise to make the next one longer. Please review. I'd like to see what people thought so far. But even if the reviews stop, this story will get finished 'cause I have to get it out of my head. Until Chapter 3...